Feeding Times?

[Nixon]

I have a four month old female ball python, generic. I feed her frozen large mice, and she's already eaten one last Tuesday. The store I got her from instructed me that she was fed twice a week, though most feedings happen once a week. She was supposed to be fed yesterday, but she went on a car ride so it wasn't a surprise she didn't eat. Today she's refusing as well. She seems to have scented it but she's not taking interest.

I'm not sure if I'm supposed to feed her once a week, or possibly she's just not in the mood right now. It looks like she's nearing shed, I only got her two weeks ago so I don't know her cycle so it could be that as well. Any thoughts?

[DennisM]

I think the consensus on this forum will be a 4 month old should be fed every 5 days. I'd say every 5-7 days is ok, but twice weekly is too often.

if she's approaching shed, there is a good chance she won't feed. I don't even try.

[Ax01]

the shedding may explain the food refusal. but what are your temps? And what time of day are u attempting feed? it might be helpful to feed after dusk as BP's are naturally nocturnal animals. also if they are out of their hides themselves, roaming their enclosure - they're more likely to be hungry and searching for prey.

[Nixon]

DennisM

Alright, thank you. I"ll try feeding her again on Tuesday, since that'd be seven days since her last meal. The shedding may be a problem, too, but since she's my first snake, it's normal to worry about everything.

Ax01

The hot zone is about 90 - 100 degrees F with a 150 W lamp. The cool side is about 80 degrees F. I know they temperatures are supposed to be around 90 for the hot zone and about 75 for the cool zone but I can't do anything about it for the moment. She has a hiding spot in the hot zone that she goes in a lot and it brings it down to about an 85 degrees F. The first time she ate for me it was around 4 o clock in the evening, but when I feed her I try to do it later in the day and turn off the lights so it seems like it is night to her. I'll watch out for her if she's roaming around in her cage. It'll be a while until I can see a cycle, though.

Thank you both for answering.